Four Peaks Kilt Lifter Scottish-Style Ale

Brewed by Four Peaks Brewing Company
Style: Scottish Ale
Tempe, Arizona USA

Pours a rich amber from the bottle with a trim white head. Aroma of red grapes and mild hops with charcoal and caramel abounding in the flavor. Refreshing and consistent.

On tap at the Tucson airport. Dark amber with a hint of red. Smells a little off, tastes malty. I’m not a big fan of Scottish Ales, but this is pretty good.

Much the same as my impression with the 8th Street Ale. Better on tap and at cellar temperature. Great aroma of crystal malts and Kent Goldings. Tastes a bit thin compared to other scottish-style ales. Slight smokiness that people seem to think (incorrectly) is the norm for the style. Definitely not major or to an annoying level, as is the case with a number of other American takes on the style. Not a bad beer, but better ones out there. Update: Cask Conditioned and dry-hopped, this is exquisite. Update: Even better in cans than on tap in my opinion. The mouthfeel is at least twice as good. Much closer to a nitrogenated/cask mouthfeel, which I think complements the beer well.

Thanks to bockyhorsey for this beer. Pours a murky amber color with rimmed head. Sweet malty nose with a hint of honey and peat smoke. Flavor is rather sweet with some smoke, toffee and sugars. Touch of tartness near the end, but it’s nice. Thanks Bill.

Tap: Clear reddish-brown color with an off-white head. It has a sweet, malty aroma of brown sugar. Sweet flavors follow with not much of a bite like other Scottish ales. The aftertaste dissipates quickluy and leaves you wishing the beer had more character. Ok.

On tap at the Yardbouse in Scottsdale. Clear brown with cedar highlights and a medium khaki head. Aroma of coffee and caramel. Initially, the flavors don’t reveal too much more then some toffee, vanilla, pepper and smoke join the party. A little thin for the style but a pleasing and semi-dry finish. Just to sure I didn’t miss anything I had another sample or two at the pool at the Scottsdale Princess the next day. Tasted the same but one wonders why this style was on tap at an outdoor bar in near 100 temps. Maybe I need to go back to see if they’ve replaced it.

Poured from the glass with a huge foamy head. I could barely get 4 oz into the glass. Aroma had a little offness to it. Maybe a light sourness to it. flavor was malty and a little tart. Something wrong with this one.

Smooth tasting. Clear brownish amber appearance. Tastes better when on tap than bottle. Comparable to Nimbus Red Ale.